Max Patch and Franklin

The beginning of our max patch adventure that brought us 5.5 miles to lemon gap without any potential camp sites. Chad, Chris and I ran back (3.5 miles on the road to the car) them picked up Lea and Eric who were waiting with out bags. We then proceeded to hike back up about 1 mile to the base of max patch. As we were setting up camp (about 9pm) another camper came running down the hill asking if he could camp with us for the night as he had been startled by two black bears. Needless to say it was difficult to sleep, however I was able to calm everyone down with my melodies tunes of "oh susanna" on the harmonica!

Rhododendron tunnel on the way to lemon gap

360 degrees of the appalachian mountains, some of the oldest mountains in the whole entire world.

On top of Max Patch after a sleepless night!


Chad and Donny- back from the peace corps in Jamaica

The rainbow trout I caught! It was too small to eat, however another guy caught two and gave them to us to eat for dinner!


Alice filleting tasty rainbow trout


Braids are lovely

Dave and Chad at Three Forks

Bodas (weddings), rios y Belle cher

maravillosa cassy


Leo's padres Rafael y Esperanza

Leo and Cassy at the rehersal dinner
Rafael and Esperanza were so shocked to see such a big piece of cake. In colombia, they rarely eat dessert and if they do, it is a very small serving. They want me to send this picture to their daughter, they didn't think she would believe them. Ha ha.

Me, Chad, Jill and Jonathan
Rhododendron flowers


we waded up the creek for a few miles
laurel creek adventure

Chad driving on the parkway
Beautiful day in the smokies
Crazy band at belle cher had everyone waving their lighters and cell phones


Speak you mind

Humming cicadas, spring sprouts and ritzy Richmond

they are everywhere

cicada carcasses-- they are out in full force-- covering many trees and littering the sidewalks with their dead bodies and abandoned shells


Chad Kayaking


Down by the river-- this park is so cool-- we had to wade out to the rocks through the freezing water-- but it was worth it!

Nicole and Alice under a Dogwood!

Spring trees

Azaleas in Richmond, VA--

shining rock area


cool moss


Mom and Noah -- super rainy Asheville




chad at the falls

Asheville winter (posted a little late)

wahoo- snow at our house in asheville
Just a few inches
didn't last long

El Rio
Scouting out the rapids at Wilson creek (more like, chad was scouting out the rapids, i was taking pictures of the rocks)
Blue Ridge Mountains
Cool lichen and moss-- katie this one's for you
More cool lichen
My crazy frost bite toes-- never thought this would happen living in the South